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From paradise to perplexity: Offer light in time of trouble

I have just returned from a once in a lifetime vacation. We spent 10 days on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. My husband’s brother and his wife live there and we have been talking about going to visit for some time. My husband, Bruce, and I spent five of our days snorkeling at least once a day if not two and saw the vast array of sea life that escapes our awareness so much of the time. Bruce’s brother, Steve, is an excellent guide and took us to some of his favorite places where we swam with magnificent sea turtles, sting rays including an exquisitely beautiful eagle ray, brilliantly colored tropical fish and coral, a sly flounder and sinister looking moray eel, and an occasional barracuda and nurse shark. We even saw a rare seahorse.

It is difficult to describe the peacefulness of laying on the surface of such beautiful blue water observing the remarkable happenings beneath that surface. Parrot fish are constantly chewing coral producing a popping sound as they create the glorious sand that lines some of the thirty-nine beaches there. Fishes look as if they are playing ring-around-the-Rosie and some dart in and out of holes in the rocks and coral on the ocean floor, disappearing and reappearing as if by magic. The bright purple fan coral waves rhythmically while the many varieties of brain coral stand immovable. It was all stunningly beautiful, a reminder of the richness of creation. I thought of the hymn “How Great Thou Art” filled with descriptions of the wonders of all the worlds God created.

On our sixth day, my daughters, Shena and Susanne, joined me for our second annual girls’ trip. My husband graciously moved in with his brother for the rest of our time on the island and we girls enjoyed bonding in paradise. My daughters had never been to the Caribbean and as girls who have always enjoyed the beach and swimming, found the turquoise water, the soft sand and the blue cobble stones stunning. Stargazing was breathtaking. More snorkeling, kayaking, sailing and resting on the beach filled our days as did laughter, tears, and gratitude for being together.

It was shocking to arrive at the airport in St. Thomas to watch the first news in days and learn about the Paris and Belgium bombings. From the peacefulness and remarkable beauty of an idyllic vacation to the heartache of yet more violence in the world. And the question is what do we do in response to the hatred and the dark lack of regard for life that is growing exponentially?

The temptation was to retreat and protect; to go back to the island and the security of family and forget the troubles of the world. And I know for those who have not been on an island for the past 10 days, the news is no less troubling; the temptation to retreat and protect, no less real. The wide-scale violence we are experiencing on so many fronts can be paralyzing. The magnitude is so great, the complexities so deep, that we can feel impotent and acquiesce to our despair.

Our calling as people of faith, our calling as members of the human race, is to resist this temptation to retreat, protect, and acquiesce. Our calling as global citizens is to take the highest road in looking for solutions. Martin Luther King said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

The solutions cannot degenerate into disregard for life and light less we become like those whose actions we abhor. What can we do? We can pray. We can sing for peace. We can give to humanitarian relief agencies. We can educate ourselves and better understand the deep complexities of the problem and possible solutions. We can practice love and peace in our own relationships at home, in our neighborhoods, in our community. We can welcome the stranger. We can offer to all our light and love.

The Rev. Candace McKibben is an ordained minister who serves as the director of faith outreach at Big Bend Hospice and as pastor of Tallahassee Fellowship.